Mar 27

Bathing Your Cat

How To Bathe Your Cat Without Bloodshed

You might think that this would be the shortest article on pet care ever written, being comprised of just two words…. “Not possible.”  And though you likely wouldn’t put the words “cat” and “bath” together in the same sentence (unless it also included the word “never”), bathing a cat can be done.

With her built-in grooming tools (tongue and teeth), your cat is well-equipped to normally tackle her own hair care needs. Cats are naturally equipped with the implements to groom themselves: a barbed tongue with which to lick, forepaws they moisten with saliva and use as a surrogate washcloth, and teeth to dig out tougher debris.

Many people believe that cats hate water. Though this may be true for some, it seems to be a cat myth that all felines hate getting wet. It’s true that some cats absolutely love it and actually enjoy a nice dip in the tub or sink. In some cases, though, cat baths are a necessity.

 

 

IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER!

When it comes to bathing your cat, patience is the key! The calmer you are, the calmer your cat will be. It is important that you talk to your cat throughout the entire process (use a calm, soothing voice). It is also very important that you don’t lose your temper and yell at your cat. After all, he or she is already in 100% panic mode. It is important that you don’t rush the bathing process. Therefore, you should only bathe your cat when you have plenty of time. It should also be noted that the earlier you introduce bathing to your cat, the better. Cats that were bathed as kittens tend to be easier to bathe than older cats who are new to the process.

Why might you have to bathe a cat?

With her built-in grooming tools (tongue and teeth), your cat is well-equipped to tackle her own haircare needs. But if she is very dirty or gets into something sticky or smelly, you may need to give her a bath. There are other reasons for having to bathe your cat.

Cats may need a bath if:                                                                  

1.     They have ringworm

2.     They have a flea infestation

3.     They have something stuck on their coat

4.     They are obese or arthritic

5.     They have soiled themselves in their litter box (kittens or sickly cats                 may do this)

6.     They happen to love it. So pamper away!

More Info
  • Ringworm — This is actually a fungus, rather than a worm. Depending on the severity of your cat’s case, and some other factors, your vet may prescribe medicated baths.
  • Flea infestations — Baths aren’t typically necessary for cats with fleas, as most of the newer flea treatments will kill fleas very quickly. That said, in very bad infestations and in cats with flea allergies, baths may be beneficial and even necessary.
  • Need to get something off their coat — examples include pyrethrin/permethrin flea killing products, motor oil or gasoline, antifreeze, skunk odors, feces, poison ivy sap, toxic chemicals, tree sap, and others.
  • Obese cats or arthritic cats — These cats may be unable to groom themselves properly and fully, and so may need occasional baths to keep their coat and skin healthy.  Arthritic cats may even appreciate the bath, as the warm water and the massage of lathering the shampoo can actually feel quite good.
It’s important to get all supplies ready first, and have a plan.
  1. Play with your cat and tire her out, give her some treats or a small meal so that she is tired and relaxed before the bath.  It is recommended that you brush her fur before bathing her to remove any matted or tangled fur.
  2. You’ll need some tasty treats that your helper can use to reward (and bribe) your cat with, a pitcher or detachable shower head, pet-specific shampoo (If you don’t have any cat shampoo, a mild baby shampoo may be used)., and plenty of towels.
  3. Using your sink or a laundry basket/Rubbermaid tub in your bathtub, lay down a towel, non-slip bath mat, or even a cut up yoga mat so your cat won’t slip or freak out because of a slippery surface.
  4. Partially fill (just a few inches) with warm water (not too hot).
  5. Gently place and hold your cat there while your helper uses the pitcher or shower head to get your cat’s coat wet.
  6.  Lather with pet-specific shampoo (your vet may prescribe a specific one, especially if the bath is necessary for medical reasons — like ringworm)
  7. Thoroughly rinse the shampoo off using the pitcher or shower head (use a low flow rate so as not to scare your cat).
  8. Use cotton balls to gently clean the inside of the ears
  9. Thoroughly dry your cat using a series of towels. Don’t use a blow dryer unless your cat is already accustomed to it… or unless you don’t value the skin on your arms and face.
  10. Keep the room warm so that kitty won’t feel chilled.

What We Have Learned: A Brief Overview
  • Play with your cat and tire her out, give treats or a small meal before the bath so that she will be tired and relaxed. Brush her fur to remove any tangles or matted areas.
  • Have all bathing equipment ready before putting kitty into the tub.
  • Only use a cat-friendly, tearless shampoo and follow the instructions on the bottle. If you don’t have any cat shampoo, a mild baby shampoo may be used.
  • Check the water temperature before putting kitty into the tub.
  • If possible, have a friend help you.
  • Be sure to wash away all of the soap on your cat’s body.
  • Wash your cat’s face with a warm washcloth. Do not use soap.
  • Use cotton balls to gently clean the inside of the ears
  • Never dunk your cat’s head under water.
  • Talk to your cat throughout the bathing process. Use a calm, soothing voice.
  • Allow your cat to dry off in a warm, draft-free room. Only blow-dry if your cat is not afraid.
  • Patience is key to a successful bath!
  • The earlier you introduce your cat to the bathing process, the better! Older cats that have never been bathed will not be happy and will present a challenge.

Finally, it should be noted that if your cat absolutely will not cooperate when it comes to bathing, don’t risk having your eyes clawed out. Take her to a professional groomer or even to the vet’s office. The vet can sedate your cat (safely) and then bathe her, risk free. Good luck!

**Afterthought – I have a friend who adopted a young cat from a rescue organization (good on you, Carrie!!) and she wanted to bathe her new baby to have him clean and fresh to start out his new life.  She first put Chubbie (he was skin and bones at the time from being a stray out on the streets of Baltimore) in the shower stall and then got in with him and used the shower head extension to wash him from above.  She said he stood still and was a well-behaved little boy….and he even seemed to enjoy being massaged and cleaned!  If you have a an older kitten or young cat, you can try this method and see if it works for you.